Teen superstar Lamine Yamal contributes to Spain's World Cup final run in ways opponents can't see coming

In the 90 minutes of soccer that advanced Spain to the second FIFA World Cup final in their history, the most impactful contribution from teenaged superstar Lamine Yamal was to be kicked firmly in the left thigh.

It was the biggest moment of the game, for certain, and it required remarkable ability merely for him to arrive in a position where he could be struck.

But did we mention the most important thing Spain’s most talented player did was to be struck by Lucas Digne’s left boot?

It has been a strange summer for the world’s next singular sensation. Entering the World Cup after more than a month off with a torn hamstring, he has played all seven games for Spain and started the past six. Lamine Yamal played deep into the second half of the past five. He hasn’t scored since the second-game blowout of Saudi Arabia. And yet all this has led Lamine Yamal to stand 90 minutes removed from an opportunity to lift the most precious trophy in men’s team sports, and he has been an essential ingredient of that advance.

By absorbing that blow we mentioned, he earned the penalty kick subsequently converted by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 22^nd minute that provided the decisive margin in Spain’s 2-0 victory over favored France. The French had been storming through this World Cup scoring goals on the regular and conceding almost none, but, after falling behind by a goal, they only flirted with the possibility of tying the score.

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We’re being a bit facetious in suggesting Lamine Yamal simply got himself kicked. It was an astonishing play, perhaps the most spectacular of Spain’s afternoon outside the clinching goal scored by right back Pedro Porro.

In the 20^th minute, Spain left back Marc Cucurella sent a sizzling cross across the face of the goal that no teammate could reach. It arrived on the far side where Digne was alone for the moment. He had the opportunity to manage and dispose of it easily, but the ball came in high, so first Digne used a header to better control it. When it started to fall to where he could knock it clear with a boot, Lamine Yamal surged into the play and got between Digne and the ball. It was so sudden, Digne never imagined that to be possible. He obviously believed he had all the time necessary.

He did not. Lamine Yamal was too dynamic. And precise. His run toward being kicked was executed just inside the boundary of the 18-yard box, which meant referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador was correct to point immediately to the penalty spot.

“I think we’re showing, the collective, being so mature in certain moments, in big moments, and this is probably the most important thing,” star midfielder Rodri told Fox Sports afterward. “To wait for your moment in the game, to not get crazy because they punish you with an action or whatever, and I think the composure is the key of this team.”

Lamine Yamal turned 19 years old this week, and already he owns a winner’s medal from Euro 2024, three La Liga titles and a runner-up finish in the voting for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. He was featured in a profile by CBS’ 60 Minutes program and has been visible throughout this World Cup in advertising campaigns by adidas and McDonald’s.

Arriving off a significant injury has impacted his ability to produce goals or assists, but so has the exorbitant attention opponents have paid to him. Lamine Yamal’s creativity on the right wing drew double-teams throughout the tournament, and that has mattered to Spain’s ability to succeed.

"This team interprets to perfection every single phase of the game," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said in his press conference. 

The numbers suggest Spain has torn through this World Cup: 13 goals scored, only one allowed. But seven of those goals came in two games against lesser teams: No. 58 Saudi Arabia and No. 23 Austria. They are standing here because they’ve controlled games with their phenomenal midfield of Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, the trio dictating action at both ends of the field.

It is not always scintillating, but it’s invariably breathtaking. It’s just those who experience the latter most often are Spain’s opponents. With an attack fueled by Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, and with creative midfielder Michael Olise conjuring chances, it seemed France would be able to work around this. Didn’t happen.

“We did not find the key to unlock this potential. If we are not technically and offensively up to par, it is our fault to start with,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “And the opponent also has great merits. I don’t want to throw away everything we did so far in this competition. We should have been 100 percent, and the French team was not tonight.”

Lamine Yamal has played 31 times for Spain, and he has scored 7 goals. That might not be what one expects from such a celebrated player, one who plays at the forefront of his team’s attack. He has mattered, though, because of what he might do.

We’ve seen throughout this World Cup what can happen when opposing defenders focus too much on what he could accomplish in a given moment. We saw in this game what happens when they don’t pay enough attention.

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